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06/08/2004

Press Release

Phase One of OECS Metrology Project Completed

A PROJECT to increase the region's trading capacity has advanced with the release of a draft report to heads of Bureaus of Standards in the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS).

International metrology expert Dr. Henrik Nielsen and regional standards consultant Mr. Bertrand Harnanan recently presented their draft report in the OECS Metrology Capacity Project to heads and other senior officials of standards bureaus in Antigua, Dominica, Grenada, Montserrat, St. Kitts, St. Lucia and St. Vincent.

The compilation of the report forms part of phase one in the metrology enhancement project which is being undertaken by the Caribbean Trade and Competitiveness Development Program (C-TRADECOM), a United States Agency for International Development-funded initiative.

According to C-TRADECOM's Competitiveness Director, Mr. Ronald Dubrisingh, based on the feedback from the one-day session at C-TRADECOM's Marine Gardens, Christ Church, Barbados offices, the consultants will shortly present a final version of the report, which will be used as the basis for significant improvements in metrology capabilities in the region.

The next step will be the placement of orders for basic pieces of equipment that are critical to the improvement of the bureaus and the training sessions for bureau staff.

The training component, which falls under phase two of the project, will see these and other consultants training staff of the bureaus to do routine trouble shooting and maintenance of the equipment and in the testing and verification of weighing and measuring equipment used in trade.

In giving a time-line for the advancement of the project, the Competitiveness Director said the entire OECS Metrology Project could be completed within four to five months, but he explained that this was dependant on the delivery of any specialized equipment, which might have to be ordered for the bureaus.

C-TRADECOM is working closely with the Caribbean Regional Organization for Standards and Quality (CROSQ), the regional body mandated to promote the harmonization of metrology standards within the Caribbean Community in carrying out this activity.

For further information contact Patrick Knight @ pknight@carana.com